JAEGER TO JOIN KICKING DERBY

The idea was to bring back Jeff Jaeger eventually. But there didn't seem to be much wisdom in tiring out the leg of the most accurate placekicker in Bears history.

The fear of losing Jaeger, however, finally prompted the invitation to camp, and Jaeger will report Monday to Platteville, Wis.

"We didn't want to take the chance of someone else being disappointed in their placekickers this weekend," Bears personnel chief Mark Hatley said.

The Bears were hoping sixth-round draft pick Paul Edinger, veteran free agent Michael Husted or free agent Jaret Holmes, who finished last season with the Bears, would distinguish himself in Saturday night's exhibition opener against the New York Giants after failing to do so in camp.

"We were trying to get one of the three guys to step up, but they've kicked good at times and not so good at times," Hatley said.

Hatley said he has spoken to Jaeger "two or three times" since training camp opened. Jaeger, he said, is kicking about 40 to 60 balls a day and reporting no trouble with the hip flexor that kept him out of all but three games last season and led to his missing five of seven kicks.

Numbers game: Several Bears, including veterans Frankie Smith and Ty Hallock, appear to be on the bubble based on their position status, but Jauron said a player "definitely" can make the squad by virtue of special-teams play.

"Special teams are so vital to every team in the league," Jauron said. "Without them we're not going to be the team we need to be, so we've got to have those outstanding special-teams players like Frankie Smith. He's a rare player.

"Jerry Azumah also stood out last year. He learned to play corner while he played special teams. That's why he was active, and he was so good on teams that we didn't want to function without him."